One of his most popular songs is also one of his most polarizing. Aldean concedes that the rap-country mash-up “Dirt Road Anthem” is hated by some Nashville die-hards. But he has plenty of “younger fans who love it,” he said.

“Look, I learned a long time ago you’re not going to please everybody. The biggest thing is be who you are, play what you love.”

He noted that he followed up “Anthem” with the more countrified “Tattoos on This Town” and “Fly Over States.”

“It’s about having fun,” he concluded. “Nobody wants to hear an artist play the same thing over and over and over and over. And we don’t want to play the same thing over and over. You gotta try new things and have fun.”